Previously background singers for Sly Stone, Mabry and Silva joined the P-Funk collective in 1977. George Clinton named the group (based on the scenario and characters from the Parliament album The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein) and produced their first album, Funk Or Walk, for Atlantic Records in 1978. Their debut album skyrocketed to success, selling over three hundred thousand copies within the first week as well as winning a record world award for best new female group.[citation needed]
The Brides of Funkenstein charted at Number 7 on the R&B Hit charts; the single single release "Disco To Go" was certified gold in America and reached platinum status in Europe and Asia. The duo became the opening act fixture of the P-Funk road shows; as well as performing with Parliament Funkadelic.
Lynn Mabry left the group in 1979. Dawn Silva, the original lead vocalist, would pick up the torch and invite back-up vocalist "Bridesmaids" Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder to sing on the second Brides album, Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy.
Dawn Silva, Sheila Horne and Jeanette McGruder were to receive a Cashbox Rhythm & Blues award for best new female artist, beating out The Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, and Cheryl Lynn. The Brides' second album was rated in 2001 by Rolling Stone as one of the top 25 albums ever released.[citation needed]
The trio recorded a third album, "Shadows On The Wall" in 1980. Most of the Brides' material from the un-released third album was gradually featured, song by song, throughout the P-Funk catalogue. Lynn Mabry toured with Talking Heads in 1984, appearing in the famed concert film Stop Making Sense along with co-founder P-Funk colleague Bernie Worrell.
Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry had a brief reunion in 1981 as the New Wave Brides, opening for Grace Jones, and a lengthy tour with Was (Not Was). Dawn Silva would tour and record with the Gap Band from 1983 to 1991, moving on to work with Ice Cube (Boyz in The Hood). She released her debut solo CD in 2000. Entitled "All My Funky Friends," it garnered rave reviews in Europe and Asia.
Birdie
The Brides of Funkenstein Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If love ever comes my way, I'm gonna know just how to play it.
If love ever comes my way, I′m gonna give it a place to stay.
I'm gonna put it in my heart, and give it a place to play.
If love ever comes my way, I'll let it teach me how to dance.
I won′t get out of step.
I′ll be thankful for the chance to dance with love.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush when the dance is love.
Dance with love, I wanna dance with love.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush when the dance is love.
Dance with love, I wanna dance with love
A bird in the bush is worth two in the hands when the dance is love.
If love ever plays my song, I can′t help but feel the feeling.
When love ever plays your song, you gotta recognize the beat.
There's a tune just for you and a melody of woo.
La-da-da, da-da-da-da-dada-da-da
Do it to ′em Blackbird!
Get on down. Blackbird, ha ha
It looks like he's already down there, ya know?
Let′s hear it for our lead guitar player, Black bird!
Get on up here, man.
Dance with love, I wanna dance with love
A bird in the hand is worth two in bush when the dance is love.
When you dance, you dance your dance when the dance is love.
Yo-ho!
Ain't it cute?
I'll do it! ha ha
To dance with love, I won′t blow the chance to dance with love.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush when the dance is love.
Hey, whaddya say, may I have this dance big bird?
Ha ha, I′ll do it
Ha ha well it's about that nest, baby.
May I peck around, one time?
Tweet tweet tweet tweet, tweet tweet
Hey big bird, why don′t you peck around?
Tweet tweet tweet tweet, tweet tweet
What you say baby?
Is that a big bird out there I hear?
Well come on up here then, who ever you are.
Watch it, watch it.
Tweet tweet tweet tweet, tweet tweet
(Audience participant) tweet tweet tweet tweet, tweet tweet
I'll be goshed.
You got it big bird.
I′d like to know if there's anybody else out there, ya know?
I mean men.
Now, I see a lotta of you over there.
Oh-oh is there a security guard big bird?
I′d like to hear you sing once
Y'all excuse me one time, since he's already up here.
Come on, baby.
Tweet tweet tweet tweet, tweet tweet
Let me hear all you big birds, come on.
Tweet tweet tweet tweet, tweet tweet .
Birdie is a song about love and the importance of recognizing and holding on to it when it comes one's way. The first few lines of the song talk about the singer's preparedness for love, that they would know what to say and how to play it. The singer also talks about giving love a place to stay, in their heart and in their life. The next few lines reference the importance of not missing the opportunity to love when it comes, to not get out of step and to be thankful for the chance to dance with love.
Line by Line Meaning
If love ever comes my way, I'm gonna know just how to play it.
If I ever find love, I will know how to handle it.
I'm gonna put it in my heart, and give it a place to play.
I will cherish love in my heart and give it a space to grow.
I won't blow the chance to dance with love.
I won't miss the opportunity to love and be loved.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush when the dance is love.
Loving someone who loves you is better than seeking love that may not happen.
When love ever plays your song, you gotta recognize the beat.
When you fall in love, you must recognize and embrace the rhythm of the relationship.
There's a tune just for you and a melody of woo.
There is a perfect lover for everyone, and the relationship will be harmonious and loving.
Get on down. Blackbird, ha ha
Start moving and grooving, hey Blackbird!
When you dance, you dance your dance when the dance is love.
In love, each person dances to their own rhythm and still flows harmoniously together.
A bird in the hand is worth two in bush when the dance is love.
Loving someone who loves you is better than seeking love that may not happen.
May I have this dance big bird?
Can I dance with you, my dear?
Tweet tweet tweet tweet, tweet tweet
Bird sounds
Writer(s): George Clinton, Rodney Curtis, Garry Shider, Ronald Dunbar
Contributed by Nolan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.